My Dad Quit Drinking, So I Find Reasons to Complain About It
My dad quit drinking. I have never known a sober version of my father or even one I felt had the potential to quit. So, who is this man?
Author: Em Carpenter
Em was one of those argumentative children who was sarcastically encouraged to become a lawyer, so she did. She is a proud life-long West Virginian, and, paradoxically, a liberal. In addition to writing about society, politics and culture, she enjoys cooking, podcasts, reading, and pretending to be a runner. She will correct your grammar. You can find her on Twitter.
Biden’s Renter’s Bill of Rights: Is it Time for the Right to Counsel to Evolve?
You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed. Like most things law-related, it’s not that simple.
The Pride, the Fall, and the Backyard Brawl
“It’s just a game,” said some dude on Twitter when I mentioned I was still not quite over 13-9. He just didn’t understand the Backyard Brawl
Yes, That’s an Abortion: The Importance of Clarity and Statutory Precision
Like most things legal, it all comes down to the wording of the various state statutes, because the word “abortion” has different meanings, depending on who you ask.
Wednesday Writs: First Amendment in Shurtleff v Boston
Some nice First Amendment red meat. This week’s case of the week is hot off the SCOTUS press: Shurtleff v. Boston
Words Have Meanings, Part Ten Thousand
I don’t like the word “rape” used to describe anything but rape. And nothing is cancer except cancer. Words have meanings
Wednesday Writs: Ketanji, I Barely Know Ye (But I’m Trying)
Ketanji Brown Jackson has only two cases from her time on Circuit Court of Appeals. Nevertheless, I will provide a brief synopsis of each.
Wednesday Writs: January 6th Defendants Edition
Said Furuqui: “If they do not have the resources to do it, they ought not do that.” Especially if they can’t do it constitutionally.
On Letting The Poors Eat Cake and Drive Electric Vehicles
Damn, Democrats. Shrugging your shoulders about the price of gas and suggesting we all buy electric vehicles isn’t helping
Wednesday Writs: Congressional Maps Mania Edition
The Supreme Court has declined to intervene to block state court decisions in North Carolina and Pennsylvania on congressional maps
Wednesday Writs: Judge Jackson, Facts Be Damned Edition
Is Judge Jackson suited for the job? I’ll let you know when I’m done sifting through hundreds of opinions to try to get a read on her.
Wednesday Writs: DNA, Databases, & Incriminating Sexual Assault Victims
The San Francisco Police Department crime lab had been using the database to “attempt to subsequently incriminate” victims of rape and sexual assault, a practice he called “legally and ethically wrong.”
Wednesday Writs: Books, Banned and Removed, In Island Trees School District v Pico
There very much is a difference, from a legal standpoint, of a book being “banned” and merely removed from curriculum
What’s a Wordle?
Those who roll their eyes and find self-satisfaction in being Different Because They Don’t Play Wordle are missing out on a fun, free, few minutes of daily brain exercise
Wednesday Writs: Bar Exam, Gatekeeping, and Cheese Snobbery Edition
The Bar Exam is more concerned with how much esoteria you can memorize than your competency to actually do what lawyers do
Wednesday Writs: Mini Edition
When even Em Carpenter can’t figure out what you are saying, you are truly into some delusional law la la land.
Wednesday Writs: Out Of Control Trucks and Runaway Prosecutor Edition
There is no other way to interpret this. The defendant made the prosecutor’s office do work, and suddenly “justice” meant 110 years in prison
Wednesday Writs: The Most Concise Synopsis I Can Come Up With on The Supreme Court and SB 8
The Supreme Court announced it will let SB 8 stand while challenges to the law by abortion providers work their way through the courts
Wednesday Writs: Ethan Crumbley’s Parents and Culpability Case Law
The Crumbley case prompts today’s Writs: To what extent can a person be held responsible for a murder they did not physically commit?
Wednesday Writs: Self Defense And The Birth Of The Allen Charge in Allen v United States
This set of instructions, known as the Allen charge, are still used today in some jurisdictions when a jury reports that they are at an impasse
